Hockey Baby 🏒

••• FOURTEEN •••

••• FOURTEEN •••
Ashton

I grinned as I watched Sophie cheer for the Cubs after her favorite player hit a home run and I wanted so badly to tell her I was in love with her, but I forced myself to stay silent. I had the whole night planned out for us and I would tell her tonight over dinner. I was going to order her favorite food and the nicest bottle of champagne and tell her that I was in love with her.

Sophie sat back down and grinned at me as she giggled. "I haven't been to a Cubs game since my senior year of high school with Dad," She admitted and I could tell that she was a little sad thinking about her Dad. Her Dad was the most amazing guy that I had ever met. He treated me like I was his own and I missed him a lot. "But thank you so much for taking me today. I'm having a lot of fun." She sighed then leaned over and kissed my cheek.

"Your Dad was a great guy, Soph. I wished more than anything he was my Dad." I admitted and Sophie gave me a sad smile as she placed her hand in mine and laced our fingers together.

"I haven't heard you talk about your parents in a long time. What happened between you guys?" She asked gently and I shrugged as I looked down at our hands.

"You know how they were, Soph. How strict they were about me playing hockey. That I had to be the best I can be." I rolled my eyes and looked up at Sophie. "That's why I loved your Dad. He never pressured me into being this 'amazing' hockey player. He would just encourage me and Patrick to have fun." Sophie reached up and stroked my cheek.

"That's all he ever wanted for you and Patrick. He just wanted you guys to have fun and love hockey just as much as he did. I remember when you scored your first goal with Patrick assisting you and he picked you and Patrick up and put you both on each of his shoulders and you guys were screaming 'We Are The Champions' as he carried you guys to the car." She giggled and I chuckled at the memory as I leaned my head into her hand.

"He's honestly the only reason I continued playing. My Father made hockey this competitive ugly sport that he forced me to play, but if it wasn't for your Dad I would've quit the second high school ended." I admitted and Sophie stared at me in disbelief.

"But, then you wouldn't have gone off to college and played for the Bruins."

"I know. But, like I said if your Dad wasn't around to remind me to not take hockey seriously like my Father did, I would've quit and told the Bruins to fuck off." She giggled as she shook her head at me and I sighed. "The only thing I hate is that he's gone and I'll never be able to make him proud." Sophie frowned at me as she shook her head and leaned in closer to me.

"I know he's proud of you, Ashton. You turned out to be this amazing person and hockey player, and he would be so unbelievably proud of you." She whispered and I felt the air leave my lungs as tears stung at the back of my eyes. I took in a ragged breath as I placed my hand on top of hers and leaned closer to her.

"I think I'm in love with you, Sophia." I whispered and it felt like the world around us had stopped. I couldn't hear anything except for my heart pounding in my ears as I waited anxiously for her response.

"I have to go to the bathroom." She breathed out as she slowly removed her hand from my cheek and then stood up. I thought she was joking and was going to turn around and tell me that she loved me too. But when she disappeared into the stadium, I let out a defeated sigh and placed my head in my hands.

"So much for waiting, dumbass." I muttered under my breath and cursed at myself for scaring Sophie away. I guess Sophie wasn't in love with me and I just ruined this whole thing. I picked up her purse off her chair and then followed after her.

{{HOLY CRAP! Can you believe Sophie just WALKED AWAY from Ashton after he told her he was in love with her!? I can't wait for y'all to read the next chapter!! It'll be up next Sunday, I promise!! Love y'all!}}